Air-Fried Cupcakes: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Air fryers are a convenient and efficient alternative to traditional ovens. They can be used to bake cupcakes, which is easier and quicker than baking them in an oven. The air circulation in the basket helps cook the cupcake evenly, so make sure not to overcrowd the basket. You can use paper, foil, or silicone cupcake liners, but foil and silicone liners hold up better in the air fryer. The cupcakes will be fluffy and delicious, with a perfectly golden, slightly crisp exterior.

Air fryer cupcake recipes

Air fryers can be used to bake cupcakes, and they taste just as good as traditional oven-baked cupcakes. The air circulation in the basket helps cook the cupcake evenly, so make sure not to overcrowd the basket. Here are some tips and recipes to help you get started.

Vanilla Air Fryer Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 250 g (2 cups) self-raising flour
• 250 g (1 ¼ cup) caster sugar (superfine sugar)
• 115 g (½ cup) margarine or softened unsalted butter
• 120 ml (½ cup) milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

For the vanilla frosting:

• 260 g (2 cups) icing sugar (powdered sugar)
• 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 80 ml (⅓ cup) double/heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Instructions:

• Measure all the ingredients into a mixing bowl. Beat together with an electric hand mixer until the batter is completely smooth.
• Use a large cookie scoop to divide the batter between 8 large paper cup cases or a medium scoop for smaller cupcake liners – you will have 10-12 cupcakes.
• Place the cupcakes in the air fryer basket and bake at 160°C (325°F) for 23-25 minutes for large cupcakes and 18-20 minutes for smaller ones. You do not need to preheat the air fryer.
• Check if the cupcakes are risen, golden, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. If not, add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.
• Cool completely before adding any frosting.
• For the frosting, put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk on a low-speed setting to combine. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting holds peaks. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe a generous swirl over the cupcakes.

Chocolate Air Fryer Cupcakes

For chocolate cupcakes, use the vanilla cupcake recipe above and add the following:

• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp coffee or milk

Lemon Air Fryer Cupcakes

For lemon cupcakes, use the vanilla cupcake recipe above and add the following:

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Zest of one lemon

Tips:

• You can use paper cups, cupcake liners, or silicone baking cups in the air fryer. If using paper liners, double them up or use foil liners as the hot air can sometimes cause paper liners to fold.
• Air fryers can vary in capacity and wattage, so you may need to experiment with the cooking time.
• The size of your cupcake cases will also affect the cooking time.
• Baking at a slightly lower temperature without preheating first can help avoid overbrowning.
• You can also use a box cake mix and follow the instructions on the box to make the batter.
• If using a box cake mix, fill the liners about halfway to three-quarters full and air fry at 330°F (176°C) for about 11 minutes.
• For mini cupcakes, reduce the baking time to 6-8 minutes.

Air fryer cupcake cooking times and temperatures

Air fryer cupcakes are a fun and easy treat to make, and they come together very quickly. You can use a box mix or make your own batter from scratch. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your cupcakes, the type of liners you use, and the model of your air fryer, but generally, they will take around 10 to 25 minutes to bake at temperatures between 320°F to 350°F (160°C to 176°C).

Cooking times and temperatures

Most sources recommend cooking cupcakes in an air fryer for around 10 to 15 minutes. However, one source suggests that larger cupcakes may take up to 23-25 minutes. It's important to note that air fryers can vary in capacity and wattage, so you may need to do a little trial and error to determine the optimal cooking time for your specific air fryer. The size of your cupcake liners will also affect the cooking time, with larger cupcakes taking longer to bake than smaller ones.

The recommended temperature for cooking cupcakes in an air fryer is between 320°F to 350°F (160°C to 176°C). One source suggests cooking at a slightly lower temperature to avoid the cupcakes browning too quickly. It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking, and you may need to cook the cupcakes in batches.

Checking for doneness

To check if your cupcakes are done, insert a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out clean, they are ready. If not, you can add a couple of minutes to the cooking time and check again.

Tips for success

• Use paper, silicone, or foil cupcake liners. If using paper liners, it's best to double them up or use a sturdier liner as the hot air can sometimes cause them to fold.
• Fill each liner about halfway to two-thirds full with batter, leaving room for the cupcakes to rise.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting or decorating.

Air fryer cupcake cooking mistakes

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, allowing you to bake cupcakes with minimal effort and clean-up. However, there are a few common mistakes to avoid when making cupcakes in an air fryer:

Mistake #1: Overfilling the Paper Cases

The first batch of cupcakes may overflow if you add too much batter to the paper cases. To avoid this, fill the cases only about a quarter of the way full.

Mistake #2: Not Using a Container for Paper Liners

Paper cupcake liners should be placed on a suitable container, such as small pudding dishes, to prevent them from falling over and losing their shape in the air fryer.

Mistake #3: Not Leaving Space for Air Circulation

Always leave space between each liner in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking.

Mistake #4: Not Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheating the air fryer is essential for even baking. Set the temperature to around 320-330°F (160-176°C) and preheat before adding the cupcakes.

Mistake #5: Overbaking

Air fryers can cook cupcakes quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on them. Check the cupcakes after about 10 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the centre. If it comes out clean, they're done. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the cupcakes.

Mistake #6: Not Allowing Cupcakes to Cool Before Decorating

Let the cupcakes cool completely before adding any frosting or decorations. This will help the frosting adhere better and prevent it from melting.

Air fryer cupcake piping techniques

Once you've baked your cupcakes in the air fryer, it's time to decorate! Here are some piping techniques to try:

Choosing a piping tip

The type of piping tip you use will determine the design of your frosting. A large star tip will create a swirl pattern, while a round tip can be used for a variety of designs, including stars, dots, and stripes. You can also use a leaf tip to create ruffles, rosettes, and leaves.

Filling the piping bag

When filling the piping bag with frosting, be sure to fill it only halfway so that it's easy to handle. Twist the top of the bag closed to prevent the frosting from coming out of the top.

Piping a swirl

To pipe a swirl, start by holding the bag at a 90-degree angle to the cupcake, with the tip just above the surface. Apply even pressure to the bag and pipe an outward spiral, starting from the centre and working your way out. Once you reach the edge of the cupcake, release the pressure and pull the tip away.

Piping a star

To pipe a star, hold the bag directly above the cupcake with the tip just above the surface. Apply even pressure to the bag and pipe a star shape, starting from the centre and working your way out. Release the pressure and pull the tip away when you're happy with the size of the star.

Piping dots and stripes

For dots and stripes, use a round piping tip. Hold the bag directly above the cupcake and apply even pressure to create a dot, or pipe a line for a stripe. You can also pipe a series of dots or stripes around the edge of the cupcake for a decorative border.

Adding sprinkles

After piping your frosting, it's time to add some sprinkles! Simply sprinkle them on top of the frosting, or gently press them into the sides of the cupcake for a more covered look. Get creative with different colours and types of sprinkles to make your cupcakes really stand out.

Air fryer cupcake liners and moulds

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens for baking cupcakes. They are more energy-efficient, and you don't need to preheat them.

When making cupcakes in an air fryer, you can use paper cups, cardboard cupcake liners, or silicone baking cups/liners. If you use paper liners, it is recommended to double up to make them sturdier and prevent the cupcakes from spreading too much. Silicone liners are also a good option as they hold their shape without the need for a baking pan.

If you are using a metal muffin tin, it is a good idea to spray it with a non-stick cooking spray or use olive oil before pouring in your batter.

Once you have poured the batter into your chosen liners/cups, place them in the air fryer basket and set the temperature and time. The temperature and time will depend on the size of your cupcakes and the type of air fryer you have. For example, one source recommends baking large cupcakes at 160°C (325°F) for 23-25 minutes and smaller cupcakes at the same temperature for 18-20 minutes. Another source suggests baking cupcakes at 350°F for 10 minutes.

When the cupcakes are done, they should be risen, golden, and a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting and decorating.

Frequently asked questions